Get to know Schäftlarn through different themes: monastic culture and architectural history on the one hand, and trails connected with the Isar on the other. There is also the history of the Neuchl estate and St. George’s Church in Hohenschäftlarn. You can plan your stay around your cultural interests or how long you would like to walk: the routes described range from a short loop to a trail with a stated walking time.
Monastery Church, Complex and Prelate’s Garden
The monastery church is considered a beautiful Rococo gem. At the same time, it is probably one of the most successful late Baroque religious buildings in southern Germany. Together with the 300-year-old main monastery building, it forms a significant architectural complex, one of Upper Bavaria’s outstanding cultural monuments. Important for your planning: the main monastery building is not open to visitors.
The Prelate’s Garden has a fountain fed by a spring on the nearby hillside. Baroque-era buildings and a curved boundary wall from the same period surround the garden. It is a draw for rose lovers and anyone who enjoys beautiful surroundings. The church, garden and main building thus offer different perspectives on the monastery complex: from the late Baroque religious building to the architecture of the complex and the garden’s design.
Farmstead and Church History
The Neuchl estate, also known as Stallwastl, was first mentioned in 1492. In 1828, it was almost completely destroyed by fire and subsequently rebuilt. The last authentically preserved small farmhouse in Schäftlarn dates from 1829. These dates trace a long history: the first mention was followed by the fire and reconstruction, before the estate came to hold its present status as a preserved small farmhouse.
St. George’s in Hohenschäftlarn also offers a historical connection. The church is one of the oldest branch churches of the former Schäftlarn monastery parish. Its present building was constructed from 1729 to 1732 under the direction of Munich master mason Johann Georg Ettenhofer. A cultural visit can therefore take in both the monastery complex and the architectural history of another church in the area.
Walks and the Isar Trail
A short circular trail starts opposite the monastery cemetery. A paved path leads up the hillside, past the “Maria Rast” chapel, and then along the slope. Along the way, there is a view of the monastery church. Check local conditions before setting out.
A different option is the 9.6-kilometre “Nature” themed trail along the Isar. It runs between the Dürnsteiner Bridge near Schäftlarn and the Icking weir; the stated walking time is approximately three hours. The short circular trail and this longer route therefore differ both in their described length and in the stated walking time. You can choose a route to suit the time you have available, without assigning an unstated duration to the short circular trail.
Schäftlarn Abbey is also a stop on the Isar Cycle Route, with a church, monastery tavern and beer garden. For a walk, the circular trail, with its view of the monastery church, is one option; the themed trail, by contrast, follows the Isar and has named endpoints. The route information therefore answers different questions: whether you are looking for a short loop or want to plan a route with a specified distance and walking time.
Getting There and Visiting Hours
Schäftlarn Abbey can be reached via the A 95 Munich–Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the Schäftlarn exit. Take the S 7 to Ebenhausen-Schäftlarn station; from there, a footpath leads to the abbey. Check the latest timetable information before travelling.
For 2026, the Neuchl estate is listed as open on the first Saturday of each month from May to October, from 2 to 4 p.m. If you plan to visit the estate in a later year, check the latest visitor information in advance.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Oberhaching, Kirchheim bei München, Aschheim, Gräfelfing, Planegg, Ismaning, Haar, Munich Airport.
Back to the main travel overview: Munich.
